In this article, I hope to clarify the research value of gold. The discussion won't involve any hidden game mechanics, and it may already be well understood by experienced players. Still, we will give an unambiguous answer to certain key questions. Can you cut research times by clever manipulation of the slider? Can running merchant specialists be more benificial to your tech rate than running scientists? How much do buildings like courthouses or markets affect your research? What is a fair trading price for techs?
